“TDSB Board and the Staff are therefore committed to ensuring that fairness, equity, and inclusion are essential principles of our school system and are integrated into all our policies, programs, operations, and practices”.

TMs. Lube the Mechanchik; Jessica Gilbank

A Conversation with Immigrant Post

In 1997, I left my corporate communications job to enroll as an automotive apprentice at Durham College.  It was seen as a major and potentially ‘risky’ decision by those close to me at the time.

Why would anyone, especially a woman, want to go into a trade?! My answer was simple, I wasn’t satisfied at my current job, I loved cars, I always felt something wasn’t quite right when I went in to get my car repaired and I wanted to do something that had a tangible outcome, rather than the same old pile of paperwork waiting for me the next day.

I was met with varying degrees of support and lack thereof when I entered college. Perseverance, hard work and passion prevailed and I completed my apprenticeship (5yrs at the time, now it can be completed in 3).  As a licensed mechanic, I have worked for Volvo and Mercedes-Benz and have most recently opened my own repair shop: Ms. Lube by Mechanchik Inc. 

We repair all makes and models of vehicles including vintage and classic cars.  There isn’t a job we don’t or can’t do.  There are currently 6 of us working, all at varying skill and licensing levels.  We are the first all female auto repair facility in North America but, that is not our raison d’être. The idea behind an all female shop is not to be exclusive, but inclusive.

Many women have the desire and skills to perform a trade, yet few feel they have the opportunity or support to do so.  Aside from providing our customers with professional, thorough and respectful treatment, we focus on providing a support system for women who want to learn a trade and commit to a career experience that is not limited by old school gender beliefs. Thinking back to World War II and remembering the number of female ammunition builders, riveters, airplane assemblers, welders etc., that were more than capable of performing those typically male focused tasks, we are reminded of our capabilities as women and the growing necessity to help fill the exponential demand for employable people in the category of trades.

The government(s) see a real need for future trades people and have made many commitments financially and training-wise to help facilitate an increase in numbers of candidates.  In 2009, I was very proud to be hired to teach the first all girls automotive apprenticeship program at Centennial College.  The program is geared to all levels of aptitude, languages, skills, cultures, ages and classes - It was such a success that they have been funded for another program.

My advice to anyone who is thinking of trying her hand at a trade again, or for the first time is, do it!  Don’t get discouraged or sidetracked by social views - nothing is better than doing what you love and earning money to live while doing it.  Skilled trades’ people are in high demand and that equals job security and employment potential.  Even in tough economies, repairs are required, as are the skills to perform them. Who knows, maybe you’ll open your own business and help change the way people view the trades. Now get out there and fix something!